BOS 13/12

Who needs to read this notice:
Principals
Curriculum coordinators
Head teachers and teachers of HSIE, Technology, Science, Creative Arts and Stage 6 Life Skills

New work health and safety (WHS) laws replaced the occupational health and safety (OHS) laws in NSW on 1 January 2012.

As a result of this new legislation, any reference in Years 7-10 syllabuses and support materials; Stage 6 syllabuses, support materials and associated documents; other Board advice or documents to:

• ‘occupational health and safety’ is replaced by ‘work health and safety’
• ‘OHS’ is replaced by ‘WHS’
• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 (NSW) is replaced by Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) (as amended)
• Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2001 (NSW) is replaced by Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (NSW) (as amended).

The Key Learning Areas and Years 7-10 syllabuses and associated materials affected are:

 - Creative Arts

• Photographic and Digital Media
• Visual Arts
• Visual Design

 - Human Society and Its Environment

• Commerce
• Work Education

 - Science

• Science

 - Technology

• Agriculture Technology
• Design and Technology
• Food Technology
• Graphics Technology
• Industrial Technology
• Information and Software Technology
• Marine and Aquaculture Technology (CEC)
• Technology (Mandatory) Technology
• Textiles Technology

The Stage 6 syllabuses and associated materials affected are:

 - Creative Arts

• Visual Arts
• Ceramics CEC
• Photography, Video and Digital Imaging CEC
• Visual Design CEC

 - Human Society and Its Environment

• Business Studies
• Work Studies CEC

 - Life Skills

• Citizenship and Society Life Skills
• Creative Arts Life Skills
• English Life Skills
• Human Society and Its Environment Life Skills
• Mathematics Life Skills
• PDHPE Life Skills
• Science Life Skills
• Technology Life Skills
• Work and the Community Life Skills

 - PDHPE

• Community and Family Studies

 - Science

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth and Environmental Science
• Physics
• Senior Science

 - Technology

• Agriculture
• Design and Technology
• Food Technology
• Industrial Technology
• Marine Studies (CEC)
• Textiles and Design

These changes are effective immediately, including where applicable for 2012 HSC examinations and beyond.

In the 2012 HSC examinations, questions related to work health and safety legislation and requirements will be phrased in such a way that students who are unaware of the changes will not be disadvantaged.

Details regarding the new legislation, including key changes for NSW, is available on the WorkCover NSW website under ‘Work health and safety’ at www.workcover.nsw.gov.au.

For further information:

Contact the Board Inspector for the relevant KLA
(02) 9367 8111
enquiries@bos.nsw.edu.au